Flexible pipe joint



Sept. 28, 1943. F-. M. ALLE N ETAL FLEXIBLE PIPE JOINT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Aug. 31, 1939 I INVENTOR.

M. ALLEN" FRA K P 4 F. M. ALLEN ETAL 2,330,197

FLEXIBLE PIPE'JOINT Filed Aug. 31, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 3/ H as 32 7643 73 4442 INVENTOR. FRANK M. ALL EN Cl. '05 5. TA YLOR Patented'ept. 2,i943 ,s'mrrss ATjEN v OFFICE 2.330.197 I FLEXIBLE r fin'rom'r FrankAllen, near Azusa, and Clyde B.Taylor,- Anaheim, Calif., asslgnors toThe All-Flex Cor- .poratlon, Los A'ngele California s, -Calif.,acorporation ofv Application August 31, 1939Q Serial No. 292,860

' 11 claims. (ch zssfiom) Thisinvention relates to pipe joints orcoulplings, and hasfor an object the provisionof an improved pipe jointof the swiveling type, i. e;

efilcient; sealing engagement with thepipe sections by relatively lowpressure of the fluid within thejoint, and the other of which is of morerigid material and is interposed between the deformable member and theinterstice between the pipe sections, with the .result that it servestoprevent trusion of the deformable material from I the packing recess andinto theinterstice whendesigned and so associated with the pipe sections of the joint that it develops an unusually high degree ofefficiency in preventing leakage of fluid through the interstice betweenthe pipe sections, and yet is capable'of \prolonged use under the mostsevere circumstances.

A moredetailed object in this connection is the provision of a. packingmember of the gen-- eral type indicated, which is of a compound natureand develops a'compound action, in that .ing member itself serves toseal'the interstice it comprises different .but co-operating sealingelements, which one of the sealing elements operates to prevent escapeof the fluid being determined by theextent of the hydrostatic 'pressureof the fluid contained within the pipe sections. T

Another object of an improved'packing for a swing joint in the design ofwhichespecial provisionis'made to resist thetendency toward destructionof the packing by shearing of the sealing element.

Toward this same end, it is one of the objects of our invention topredetermine to which ofthe pipe sections will adhere, and to providemeans our invention is to provide 'which operate to diminish thetendency for thepacking to adhereto the other of the pipe sections to anabsolute minimum.

Another object in .this connection is to construct both elements of thecompound packing so-that they both, separately, havethe'tendency toadhere. to the same pipe section and to establish a sliding contact withthe other of the pipe sections, and thus avoidsubjecting the packing tothe internal stresses in addition to those resulting from its resistanceto the escape offluid under pressure, which would arise if the differentportions'of the packing had the tendency to move with respect to eachother; A further object of, our invention is the provision of a packingmember of the character described, comprisinga pair of eo-operatingelemerits, one-of which is of deformable material I and accordingly isadapted to be pressed into,

to reduce'its size.

the packing is subjected to highpressures. v

Another object in this connection is to provide a packing as described,wherein it is thebacking member of relatively rigid material which alsooperates to perform the sealing function when' high pressures areencountered, with the result that it not only serves as a backing forthe deformable material, supporting it in such a man-* ner thatitassists the deformable material in resisting trusion into theinterstice, but the backwhen high pressures are encountered, therebyassuring that all surfaces of the deformable member are subjectedtorsubstantally the some pressure, and thusifurther' minimizing thelia-' bility 10f destruction of the deformable memb'er under highpressure operation.

"A still further object of our invention .is to provide a swivel pipejoint and a packing member therefor, of such a nature that it is capableof operating oyer a prolonged period of time and with a high degree ofefliciency in performing the functions 'for which it was designed, andyet which is susceptible of inexpensve and rapid production in largequantities.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some ofwhich, withthe foregoing, will be set forth in the following descrip-.

tion'of the preferred embodiments of our inven- .tion' which areillustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of thespecification. It is to be understood that we do not limit ourselves tothe showing made by the said drawings and description, as we may adoptvariations of thepreferred forms without departing from the scope of thepresent invention asset forth in the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal, medial sectional view taken through a swivelpipe joint and packing therefor, embodying. the principles of thepresent invention.

Figure 2' is an enlarged view in longitudinal, medial section, of thelower portion of the joint of Fig. 1. Portions of the figure are brokenaway Figur.e 3is a view in front elevation,'of the Figures 1 and 2,removed low pressure sealing element of the packing.

Figure 7 is an enlarged view in transverse section through the assembledpacking member, showing the relative positions and the forms assumed bythe high and low pressure sealing ele-- ments thereof before insertioninto the pipe Joint.

Figure 8 is aview'similar to Fig. 3, but showof the packing ing aslightly modified form of packing memberh Figure 9 is a view similar toFig. 4, but of the packing member of Fig. 8.

The flexible pipe joint of the present invention is designed tointerconnect two-portions" of a conduit such as a pipe line in suchamanner as constantly to maintain communication between the bores of thetwo portions and yet permit substantially unrestricted turning 01'twisting movement of one portion with respect to the other. Thatembodiment of our invention which has been chosen for illustration inthe figures comprises co-operating male and female pipe sections H and12, respectively, the end l3 of the male section H being revolublydisposed within a belied portion M of the female section l2, the twosections being in coaxial relation and having their bores l6 and ll,respectively in communication with each other. Preferably a pair of ballraces 18 and iii are formed in the bore 2| of the bell l4; andco-operating races 22 and 23, respectively, are provided in registrytherewith in the outer circumferential wall of the end I3 of. the malepipe section, to accommodate anti-friction balls 24. Inasmuch as theseballs 2t fit within registering races or grooves, they sum not only toretain the two pipe sections H and I2 accurately in line and permitrelative rotation therebetween with a minimum, of friction, but theyalso retain the sections against axial movement vwith respect to eachother, i. e., they serve to hold the sections together in operativerelationship. They are inserted to their races after the two pipesections have been placed in proper relative position, through anopening 26 in one side of the bell M; and after insertion of the balls2d, a plug 21 is threaded into the opening to prevent escape of theballs. The plug 2'! is provided with a fitting -28, preferably ofconventional design, for use in supplying lubricant under pressure notonly to the ball races, but also to the interstice 29 between the twopipe sections II and i2.

This interstice, in the present modification, comprises a radial portion3| and a circumferential portion 32. We have found that .a highlyadvantageous location for the annular recess 33 for the accommodation ofthe packing member. 34 isat the intersection of these two portions 3|and 32' of the interstice. 'The recess preferably is formed as arelieved portion in the outer circumferential surface of the male pipesection ll at the extreme inner end thereof, so that any fluid enteringthe recess from the bore of the conduit into which the joint isconnected would have to enter by way of. the radial portion 3| of theinterstice; and from the recess the 37 means of egress is through thecircumferential portion 32 of the interstice. It is for the purpose ofpreventing the escape of fluidunder pressure through the interstice 29between the sections Ii and'l2- of the joint, that the packing member 3is provided, 7

Referring first to that embodiment of packing member of our inventionwhichis illustrated in Figures 1 to 7, inclusive, it will be observedthat the device comprises two annular portions, e. g.; a low. pressuresealing annulus 42; illustrated alone in Fig. 6, and a high pressuresealing annulus 43, illustrated alone in Fig. 5, adapted to be fittedtogether in coaxial, co operative relationship as, illustrated'in Fig.4.

The low pressure annulus 42 is fabricated of suitable relativelydeformable material such as rubber, or; preferably, an especiallyprepared product known in the trade as neoprene because of its'highlyinert nature which adapts it for use in connection with'the handling offluids apt to have deleterious effects upon less resistant materials,and because of its great resistance to destruction by friction. In itsmaximum outside diameter, the deformable annulus substantiallycorresponds to the inside diameter of the wall section 4 4 of the femalepipe' section IZwhich defines the outer circumferential wall of theannular recess 33, although if there be any' difierence between thesetwo dimensions, it

is preferred that the annulus be of slightly smaller diameter than therecess into which it is to be received, inasmuch as the inherentdeformability of the material of which the member is formedpermits it tobe expanded bythe pressure of the fluid it serves to retain within theconduit.

Hence, a sufficiently tight contact between the outer circumferentialsurface 46,0f the deformable member 42 and the outer circumferentialwall of the recess, obtainswhen the packing member is subjected to fluidpressure from "within'the conduit of which the swing Joint is a ent,therefore, .that the pressure of the-packing.

part; and when the pressure is relieved, the

packing member has the tendency to return to its initialou'tsidediameter. releasing the pres-- sure of the deformable annulusagainst the outer circumferential wall of the recess, and thereby"tending to, prolong the useful life of the packing;

The'thickness of the deformable annulus 42, measured in a radialdirectionJis preferably somewhat less than the corresponding dimensionof the recess 33, with the result that the inside diameter of thepacking is slightly greater than the inside diameter of the recess. Thiscauses the inner circumferential wall 41 of the annulusto be spaced fromthe inner circumferential wall 48 of the recess, with the result thatthe radial portion 3! of the interstice 29 leads into the an. nularspace '39 therebetween. Accordingly, the

inner circumferential wall 41 is subjected to the full pressure of thefluid within the conduit, which is of importance because reliance isplaced upon the pressure of the fluid to increase the intimacy ofengagement between the deformable member and the outer wall and the twoside walls of the recess. Toward this same end, the innercircumferential wall 41 is formed materially con-' cave, as clearlyshown in Figs. 2 and 7, with the result that the force exerted by thefluid against the packing is not only radially outwards, but alsolaterally of the packing, i, e., toward the two side walls 5| and 52 ofthe recess. It is apparmember 34 against the outer and the two sidewalls of therecess is proportional with the pressurejof thej fluidwithintlieconduit, an that the g'reaterthe pressure of the fluid; -themore .tightly does the packing member 34 seal the inthe escape of fluidthere-f terstice 129 against through. t a v e In order to enhance thetendency for the side i walls of,'the packing memben 34 to pressagainstthe sidewalls i and 52 of the recess, wprefer v the reason that"reliance is placed in the capa bility of thefdeformable member toenlarge slightly more than the rigid annulus when pressure is imposedthereupon from the inside. v

Whereas the radial flange 81 may conveniently be of rectangular-crosssectional form, the cirthat the side walls 53 and 54 of the deformableannulus-flare slightly when the member-is re-" lieved of all pressure,making the deformable member slightly thicker measured parallelto theaxis of the annulus and near the inner circum v ferential wall 41-. I Ithe recess 33, on the contrary, are substantially The side walls 5| and52 of parallel, and the recess 33 corresponds in width to the narrowerportion of the packing, with' i the result that when the packing isconfined within therecess 33, its'shape is changed from thatillustrated'in Fig. -'1 to one'in which its side walls 53 and 54 alsoare substantially parallel, with a consequent increase in the pressureof the inner corners 56 and 51 of the deformablem'ember against the-sidewalls 5| and 52 of the recess The high pressure sealing annulus 43 iscomposed of material'having a materially greater degree of stiffnessthan that of which theilow pressure member 42 is composed; but even;-th0ug'h it be-relatively stifi, the 'efliciency' of'the 'packing as .awhole .is materially increased if the high 'pressure'member is slightlyyieldable,

'cumferentialflange 66 is preferably -wedgeshaped, tapering to arelatively thin annular edge. surface 12- for the circumferential flange63 where it makes contact with the deformable annulus, as best shown inFigs. 2 and '7.

'When assembling the joint, the packing mernher is placed'within therecess in such position that the-metalannulus is interposed between the,deformable annulus and the circumferential portion 32 of the interstice29. Hence, the metal ring'43 serves to prevent the deformable matefromthe recess 33 into the interstice whenpresso as to enable it to 'bepressed into intimate,

' exactly fitting relation with the proximal Walls of the recess whenthe packing (34 is subjected.

to high pressures. We have found that brass meets these requirementsmost advantageously,

and that this material has the added advantage ofbeing'sufl'icientlyresilient to return to its orig-' inal ,shape andsize after such'high pressures have been relieved, whichfeature is ofimportance for the reason thatit minimizes the tend; ency'for thepacking to remain stuck within the \been in service for some time, Theannulus is preferably formed of two fianges"66 and 61,

both of annular form.- The flanges 66 is a cir-" cumferential flange,-i'ts outer .surface68 being as accurately cylindrical in formandcorresponding recess when the jqint'is tom down after having rial ofthe other annulus '42 from being extruded sure is imposed upon the innersurfaceof the .packing. If this pressure is relatively low, the

eflect upon the packing is to deform the yieldable annulus in such'amanner that its .outer circumferentialisurface 46-is pressed against theouter wall 44 of the recess 33, and the side walls 53 and 54 of the,"deformable member are urged laterally apart and against the side walls5| and 52 of the recess, due ito the fact that the 'fiuid exerting thepressure is permitted to enter the concavity 41 in the innercircumferential wallof the packing. This pressure of the side walls" ofthe deformable member'against the sidewalls of the recess is mostpronounced at the extreme edges} or corners 5B and 51, thus serving toprevent penetration of -the fluid un-,

der pressure past these corners and between the. deformable'memb'er andthe side Walls of the recess, 1

Howeverpif the pressure of the fluid within the conduitbecomesrelatively great, the effect upon the packing is to press themetal annulus with great force against'the proximal walls of the recess,closing the adjacent mouth of the Y in outside diameter'to the diameterof the outer wall of' the recess 33 into which it is designed to bereceived, as is commercially feasible.

flange 51 extends radially inwards from air edge The A interstice 29 themore tightlyas the pressure" increases; Ccnsequently when high pressuresare encountered-it is the metal ring 43 which operates to prevent escapeof fluid from between the pipe sections ii and I2, the deformable member42 serving toaid'in pressing the metal ring 43 ,into sealing engagement,whereas when the of the circumferential-flange B5. withlthe re-r suitthat the two flanges 66 and5-1 co operate i todefine an annular member43 which in cross section is substantially L-shaped. The two an-i nuliare complementary to each other in that the deformable annulusisrelieved about the outer surface 46 thereof to provide space for themember within the recess, all four defining walls ofwhich are smooth.'This statement should be qualified,.however, to the extent that theoutsidediameter of the rigid annulus 43, is permissibly slightly largerthan the deformable annulus 42,

leaving a slight shoulder- 69 at thejuncture of Q encountered, inasmuchas any forces imparted; to the-flange 68 from the 'deformable'rnemberpacking is subjected to pressure in the lower rangesyall ofthe,sealing:is performed by the deformable member, andan importantfunction of the'jmetal annulus is that of a backing member for therelatively-fluid deformable material of which the annulus 42 iscomposed, .re straining it against detrusion from the recess 33 into theinters'tice 29. v The inclined inner surface 12 of the circumfrential-fian'geiia co'-operates in pressing the metal annulus 43into sealing engagement with the 'walls'of the recess whenhigh pressuresare 42 must be in an-oblique direction, dueto'the slope of the surface12. .Hence all outward the flange 68 with the outer surface 46 of the.

deformable member (see Fig. 7) 'whenthepack ing member is relieved ofpressure. This is for pressure of the deformable'member 42 against theflange 68 develops a component urging the metal annulus 43 laterallytoward the outlet portion 32 of the interstice, crowding the metalannulus the more tightly into the associated corner of the recess, andthus contributing to the .eificiency of the packing in preventing es-15- This provides an: inclined innerv annular e the two pipe sectionsoccurs-aplurality of oil 'grooves'16. may be providediin the outerfaceOne of the more important features ofjthe 68, there be less tendency forlubricant to present invention resides in the relative proportions ofthe respective areas of contact of the 1 two annuli 42'and43 with thewalls-defining the recess 33, for itiis through this means .that 5.

th hich of the -tvvo pip 1 it is preqetermmed w! w ingare co-operativein their action in preventsections, or l2 the packing will-remainJflxedv while the other turns. The coeflioient of .friction of thedeformable materialof which the m r 42 is formed is inherentlymaterially l9 7 me be j conditions, such as under exceedingly hightemgreater than that of the metal of which the relatively rigidannulus!!- is formed, which is ,a matter of material importance inthe-present invention, for the reason thatthe radial flange 61 serves.to keep as much of-the deformable l5,

material as is. consistent with.efilcient sealing, outof contact withtheassociated side wallw52; of the recess; Hence, one result ofemploying" the flange 61 is to reduce the mean coefficient of frictionof the assembledpacking member 34 2 with the male pipe section II, andthus permit the pipe-section to turn without carrying the packingwithfit. Toward this same end, only one wall of the recess presented bythe pipe secthe entire surface of the side wall i (both of thesedefining walls of the recess being presented work itself between. theflange '68 and the outer circumferential wall -44 of the recess, withre- I.ing leakage of ven the 'most diflicult fluids to to'present apacking of great durability, capable peratures andpressures.Furthermore, they serve of operating withhigh efficiency over prolongedperiods of time. One of the; principal difficulties encountered whenusing more conventionally designed pickings for high pressure servicewas theirpronounced tendencyto permit trus ion of the deformablematerial of the packing out of the packing pi sections leading from theopposite side 'of' th recess from that at. which fluid under presureenters the recess. This difllculty of earlier. packings has beensubstantially eliminated by the tionv H is contacted by the packingmember 34,

by the other pipe section 12) are contacted by the assembled packing 34.It is apparent, there- .fore, that maximum'area of the entire packingconsidered as a whole is established with the pipe section l2, andminimum area with the pipe section I I. It is also to be noted that thesame conditions prevail from the standpoint of each of the two annuli 42and 43 considered separately, 1. e., each of these two members makesmuch greater contact with the pipe sect h 1 a ll. does M h t e p De Secon ,of the flanges 86 and 61, respectively, are formed I1 of the radialflan'ge 61. These grooves 15 lead from the extreme corner of themetalring 43 at the intersection of'the face 'Il with the outer face of.the circumferential flange 68. Ac-

cates with the ball races, thereby permitting lubricant to be forcedinto the grooves 16, whence it is enabled to spread to the side wall 52.of

6 the recess with respect to which the packing is 9 whole, .and of eachof its constituent annuli conand 58 to an absolute minimum, at leastwhen the packing is subjected to high pressures, in order to prevent therelatively fluid material of the deformable annulus 42 from being forcedthereinto.

of the recess un-, 65

interposition of the relatively stifl, unyielding annulus 43 between-thedeformable member 42 and the interstice into which the. pressure of theentrapped fluid would otherwise extrude the deformable material. Insteadof being completely rigid and unyielding, however, the material of whichthe backing annulus 43.is formecf is pos-' ,sessed of sufllcien'tinherent yieldability for it to be pressed .into very intimate contactwith the proximal wa'lls'of the recess when subjected to pressure fromwithin, thus reducing the width of the interstices between the walls ofthe recess and the flanges of the backing annulusto an exceedinglyminute dimension, and this feature,

cordingly, they are in communication with the 5 portion-32 of theinterstice 29 which communicoupled with. the fact that th cornersdefining the distal edges of the outer' faces 68 and 11 so as topresentsharp comers, .servesto pre-' vent all possibility of entrance .ofany'of the material of the deformable member into the intersticesbetween the backing member andthe walls of the recess.

Another fault frequently encountered when with which of the pipesections the packing will remain stationary, and by providingevery'facility for freedom of movement of the packing as a sideredseparatelv with respect to the other of the pipe sections. Factors whichcontribute toward this end are maximum area of contact with one of thepipe sections and minimum with the other, and the provision of means forforcing lubricant between the packing and the portions contacted therebyof the pipe section with respect to which-it isdesired to have thepacking free to move. So eflective have these structural features of ourimproved packing demonstrated.

Since no oil grooves are provided in the flange themselves to be, thatthe product of the area of contact of the deformable member42 withthepipe section II, multiplied by the coeflicient of friction of thesesurfaces, is materially less than recess into the interstice between.theproduct oi'the coeillcieiit or snearoi the'de- .nulus serves as abacking member for the de-a .Iormable material multiplied by the'area.oi the r formable, and hence relatively fluid member.

minimum plane" of shear throughthe deformable; The deformable member 81providesample scalannulus. Oicourse this desirable condition is ingfacilities under low pressures; and when high enhanced if the'contactingsur'faces pi the de gipressu'res are'encountered the metal annulus 88formable member 42 and the pipe section I lare ispressed intosufllciently' intimate contact with lubricated; and 'due to theprovision oijthe oil" the walls oi. the recess to seal the intersticegrooves 16 in the flange 88 which is immediately I. against escape orthe fluid. The metal annulus thereadjacent; such lubricationis assured.L also serves to reduce the areas 01 contact with It should be' notedthat although the flange the pipe section with respect to which the pack88 of the metal annulus Alextends most or the wing member is iree tomove, thus .sninimizin'g distance across the outer face orjthepacking,any tendency for the deformable memberf to it is materially shorter thanthe width ot-the shear, and this eflect or the backing annulus is recess88 This leaves a material width of the 1 enhanced if oil grooves 89 .areprovided 'in that deformable-member between the edgeof the, race of theannulus) which contacts the pipe metal flange) and the side wall it ofthe re- -jsection with respect to which the packing-moves;

cess toward whlchthefiange extends; and this. We claiinz' .detailis-oi'importance for the reasonuthat it 1; In a flexible pipefjointiiorjoiningalpair impartsto. the assemble'd packing an ample deofcoaxially-disposed pipe sections journalled for gree of variability in,eflective length to com rotary motion andagainst axial movement withpensateiorthei'variations in width orthe recess espect to each otherandincluding intersecting whichrare occasioned by sudden fluctuations orall sections extendingin cooperative relation to pressure of thefiuidwithin the conduit of which each other to ,define an anmflar recessbetweenthe pipe joint is a part. Whereas the extent; [said-,pipesections, and packing'means disposedof, such variations in the widthsofthe recess within said recess, said packing means comprisis quite small,it is frequentlyfgreatenough to ing an annulus of deformable materialand. an cause leakage around the packing unless theannularbackentherefor of resilient materiallinpacking is capableor-expanding'so as toco'nv terposed between said deformable annulus andform accurately to the increased size of the. re-

the interstic'e between said wall sections, saidcess; and of co'ur'sathepacking must b'e capable deformable annulusmakingcontactwith one 01' ofreturning to its original size when the shock saidpipe sections i nanarea or contact so small to which the conduit has been subjected-mas',,that the product of said area and the coeflicient subsided and thesections of. the.pipe joint return of 'friction' between said deformablematerial-and to their original, relative position, causing the "saidpipe section'is less than the product of the, recess to resume itsoriginal dimensions. It is coemcient of resistance to-shear of 'saiddeform-- readily apparent that if any portion-of the metal able materialand thearea of the minimum anannulus-43 corresponded in width to-therecess, nularfplaneyoi shear through said deformablethe packing, wouldnot possess this'desirable abilannulus.- I

ity to adapt itself to even s g t y arying widths 2. v a swin joint ofthe character described,

of the recess. 4 a pair'of' pipe section's Journalled for rotary mo-'Figures 8 and 9-i1lustrate a slightly modified tion and against axialmovement with respect to form of .packing. member, indicated in its vneach other and disposed with their bores in' cointirety at w ich issomewhat simpler in'desig'n munication, said pipe sections'havingan--annular.

than that'already described, and isaccordingly r recess therebetweenencircling saidbores, and

less expensive to'manuIact e-- However, it POS- 45 packing meansdisposed" within said recess and sesse's some of the more importantadvantages making greater frictional contact with one of said andstructural features in common therewith. pipe sections than with theother to predeter- This modified form 0 4 0 improved packing mine withwhich of said pipe sectionsjsaid packmembe'r also is composed of; two lt0 ing means will move when relative motion be a low pressure annulus81. of relatively deformtween said pipe sections occurs. able material,and a; backing annulus 88 of rela- I 3. In a swing joint of thecharacter described,

tively stifl resilient material. Assembled, the a pair of pipe sectionsjoumaled for rotary movepacking member 86 conveniently may be' of the Iment and against axial movement with respect same cross sectionalconfiguration as the; first to each otheranddisposed' with their boresin described modification; so that it is receivable communication, saidpipe sections havingan anwithin a packing recess of the same shapeandnular recess therebetween encircling said bores, size. Each ofthe-annuli 81 and 88, however, and a compound packing disposed withinsaid differs in cross sectional configuration from the recess andcomprising an annulus .of deformable corresponding annulus 42, 43,respectively, inasmaterial extending across the interstice between muchas the resilient annulus 88 is, in cross 'secsaid pipe sections toprevent escape of fluid tion, triangular in form; and. the deformabletherethroughat'low pressures," and a scond an nnulus is mp em ttherewith to pr e nulus of metal also extending across saidinteranassembled packing the cross sectional form sti and adapted to seal itagainst the escape of w h e ts t re uire e ts o t e p t of'fiui'd ortrusion of said deformable material lar recess within which it-isdesigned to be re. therethrough at higher pressures. Q ceived. I 4. In aswing joint of the character described, This modified form of packing 86is intended a pair of pipe sections-disposed with their bores to beinstalled within its recess in the same manin communication androtatable with respect to ner as the previously described modification,i; a; each other aboutthe axis or said bores and rewith the metalannulus 88 interposed between strained-against relative axial movement,said the deformable annulus 81 and the portion of sections having anintersticetherebetween and the interstice between pipe sections intowhich at least one of said pipe sections having a, the deformablematerial would be apt to be exlieved portion presenting an annularrecess from truded were the metal annulus not provided. Acwhich. saidinterstice leads, and said interstice cordingly, in this instance alsothe "metal an-'- and annular recess beingsubiectto'variation in width aspressure within said 1 bores fluctuates. and a-packing disposed within.said recess and comprising an annulus of deformablematerialextendingacross said recess-to contact both of terposed betweensaid deformable annulus and said ihterstice and comprising acircumferential. flange and a radial flange extending angularly fromeach other and from the line ofv entry of said interstice into saidrecess, at least one of said flanges being tapered to a thin outer edgewhereby said tapered flange is adapted to be flexed under the impress ofinternal pressure to close any clearance between said tapered flange andthe adjacent wall of said recess;

7. In a swing joint, of the character described, a pair of pipe sectionsdisposed in end-to-end abutment with their bores in communication,journal means interconnecting said pipe section ing means disposedwithin said recess and comprising an annulus of deformable material anda metal backing ring interposed 'between said said pipe sections, and anannulus of resilient 5 deformableannulusand said exterior portlonofmaterial interposed between said'deformable anthe interstice to restrainsaid deformable material nulus and. said interstice and comprising acir-. against trusionj into said interstice, said backing cumferentialflange and a radial flange, said cirringbeing of resilient materialhaving suflicient cumferential flange being shorter than the widthresilience to cause it to return to its original form of said recesswhereby a material width of said and position upon release of internalpressure deformable material is interposed between the thereagainst andthereby minimize the tendence end of said circumferential flange and thewall for said backing to become bonded to either of of said recesstoward which said circumferential said pipe sections. A a flangeextends. I i 8. In a swing joint of the character described, n a Swing 11 Ofth? ar c er c bed. a pair of pipe sections disposed in end-to-end, apair of pipe se'ctions disposed with their bores ab'utment with theirbores in, communication, in communication and rotatable with respect tojournal means interconnecting said pipe sections each other about theaxis of-said bores andrefor rotary motion with respect to each other,strained against relativ axial movement, said the intersticebetwe'en,said pipe sections being sections having an intersticetherebetween and enlarged to present an annular recess encircling atleast one of said pipe sections having a resaid bores whereby leakagebetweensaidpi'pe lieved portion presenting an annular recess from/ sectis w ld pass thrqugh m. recess and 1 which said n st c' ea and a i gdisthence by the exterior portion of said interstice posed within saidrecess and comprising an ant to the-exterior of said pipe sections, andpacking nulus of deformable material ex en ng ross 5 means disposedwithin said recess and comprissaid recess to contact both of said pipesections, ing an annulus of deformable material and a and an annulus ofresilient. material having a 7 metal backing ring interposed betweensaid de-" coefllcient of friction smaller than that of said f rmableannulus and said exterior'portion of deformable mate i dreslllentflnnlllu's b n the interstice to restrain said deformablemateinterposed between said deformableannulus and rial against t usi mtam i t t t said interstice. andmeans o p ete m teriai of said backingring being sufliciently yieldwith which f id pipe sections said packingwill Y able to permit it to be flexed and pressed into inremain fixedwhen relative rotary motion occurs timate' contact with walls of saidrecess on oppo; betwee Said Pipe Sections comprising flange site sidesofv said interstice proportionally with said resilient annulus extendingbetween said de-, 3 the hydrostatic pressure imposed upon saidpackformable annulus and-thepipe section with re-' ing means wherebysaid backing ring seals said spect to which said packer is to move andthere'- interstice at high pressures and restrains said by diminish thearea of contact of said deformdeformable material against trusion intothe inable material with the p pe element t pect terstices betweenthebacking ring and the walls to which said packing'is to move. 40 of saidrecess and said deformable annulus serves 6. In a swing jointof thecharacter described, as a plunger to press the backing ring into seal apair of pipe sections disposed with their bores ing engagement. v incommunication and rotatable with respect to v 9, In a flexible pipejoint for joining a pair of each other about the axis of said bores andrepipe sections journalled forrotation and against strained againstaxial move ent. Sa d Sect ons 5 axial movement with respect to, eachother and having an interstice therebetween and at least disposed withtheir bores in'communicatiomthe one of said pipe sections having arelieved porin't'erstice between said pipe sections being entionpresenting a a nu r ecess om which larged to present an annularrecess"en'circling said inter'stice leads, and said interstice andansaid bores whereby any leakage between said nular rece s be bject tovariation in width pipe sectionst-wouldpass through said recess and aspressure within said bores fluctuates, and a thence through the portionof said interstice be P s d sp within said ss nd prise yond said recess,the portion of said interstice being an annu us of defo e ater e tenyond said recess leading therefrom between wall across said recess tocontact both of Sa d P pe sections of said recess which movewith-respect sections, and an annulus of resilient material into eachother; and packing means disposed wit in said r'ecess and comprising anannulus of deformable material, and means restraining said deformableannulus from trusion into 'saidiportion of said interstice beyond saidrecess, said restraining means comprising a metal backing ringinterposed between said deformable a'nn'ulus and said relatively movablewall sections of said recess; I

10. Pac

king for establishing fluid-tight seal between two tubular membersjoumalled for rotary movement and against axial movement with respect toeach other and having an annular reecess between. them encircling theirintercommunicating bores, said recess having Wall porfor r a y motionithrespec't to each other. tions which converge outwards, and the outerthe interstice between said pipe "sections being enlarged to present anannular recess encircling said bores whereby leakage between'said pipesections would pass through said recess ?and thence by the exteriorportion of said interstice portion of the interstice between saidtubular member leading outwards from the angle between said 'wallportions, said packing being dis posed within said recess andcomprising-an annulus of deformable material, and means having 10 saidwall section.

leading outwards from the angle between said wall portions, said packingbeing disposed within said recess and comprising an annulus 0fdeformable material, 'and means restraining said deformable annulusiromtrusion from said recess into said outer portion of said 'interstice byinternal fluid pressure, said restraining means comprising a metalbacking ring interposed between said deformable annulus and said anglebetween CLYDE B. TAYLOR.

